Alfa Romeo 4C buying guide

The 4C has a 240bhp 1.75-litre turbo four and a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, with 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds. The carbon monocoque weighs just 65kg. The Coupe came first. The Spider has a removable fabric roof and weighs an extra 45kg from structural reinforcement, and is otherwise mechanically the same. It also gets leather, adjustable seats and more noise suppression as standard. See the Coupe and Spider pages for each one's listings.

A 2016 update brought new dampers, revised spring rates, extra soundproofing and optional touchscreen and rear parking sensors. 24 Car Repair names the 2017 Coupe and the 2019 and 2020 Spider as the best years, and says post-2016 cars gain from revised suspension geometry. That is one publication's opinion, so weigh it with a specialist's inspection.

The Launch Edition was sold from the start with larger 18/19in wheels, the firmer suspension, extra carbon trim and special finishes such as Rosso Alfa and Carrara White. Race mode, which switches off stability control and sharpens the gearbox logic, is on Launch Edition cars and later. Rush Magazine adds that the Launch Edition's bushings and ball joints take a particular beating.

A run of 50 50th Anniversary Spiders was built in 2016 for the UK only, so you are unlikely to see one here. Cars with the sports exhaust are identified by two rings per exit instead of one.

These are the faults the sources describe, starting with the gearbox, which one source calls the most-cited buying issue.

TCT gearbox behavior

The dual-clutch gearbox can hesitate when cold, jerk at low speed and wear its clutch. Rush Magazine, CarChecker and Quelle Occasion all describe calibration issues that a software update can usually cure. Quelle Occasion names the gearbox as the most-cited buying issue.

Front ball joint corrosion

The rubber seal on the front lower ball joint can let water in, causing corrosion, creaking and clunking. CarChecker says 2013-2015 cars are more susceptible and that a revised part fits earlier cars. Rush Magazine says early joints were redesigned and should no longer be an issue.

Suspension bush wear

Bushings and ball joints take a beating, and the car is highly sensitive to tire pressures and alignment. Quelle Occasion lists bush wear alongside the gearbox as a leading concern.

Turbo oil leaks

Early cars suffered oil leaks at the turbocharger oil feed. Rush Magazine says fixing a failed line or seal costs under £500.

Heat soak

Sustained hard use can push intake temperatures high enough for the ECU to retard timing. Keep it in mind if the car has been tracked.

Exhaust valve rattle

Cars with the race or Akrapovic exhaust can rattle at the exhaust valve. Rush Magazine calls it mostly cosmetic but annoying.

Dashboard delamination

CarChecker calls dashboard delamination cosmetic but universal, so expect to see it and use it as a bargaining point, not a reason to walk.

Vague steering

The steering has almost no caster trail, tramlines readily and gives little feedback. That is how the car is built, so drive one before you commit.

Rush Magazine puts an annual service at about £250 to £400 and a major service at about £600 to £900, all UK figures. It says Alfa suggests changing the cambelt every 72,000 miles or five years, though most specialists want it every four years, and one charges £650 for the job. Real-world fuel economy typically falls between 28 and 34mpg.

Suspension setup is a recurring cost. The same source quotes around £300 for a geometry setup and £600 to £1,000 for a full bushing and ball joint refresh. A gearbox software update typically runs £100 to £150, while a control module failure is rare but costs over £4,000. One specialist quotes £2,395 including VAT and labor for a full clutch replacement.

CarChecker figures a road car's clutch lasts about 150,000 km, while a tracked or tuned car may need one by 50,000 km. It puts a full gearbox replacement at roughly €4,000 to €5,000, a European figure.